by Iris

Only two more sleeps until Christmas! If you’re starting to freak out (because you still have presents to buy, and time is slowly but surely running out – not to scare you, or anything), worry not: we have assembled some recommendations to help out even the most last-minute shopper.

Books

From mainstream to obscure, chonky hardcover to tiny novella, escapist fantasy to cold, hard data, and from fancy gift editions to secondhand paperbacks – we believe there’s something for everyone on our shelves. It’s just a matter of finding the right book, and thankfully we can help with that.

  • Start with a look at our ABC Favorites: (modern) classics from a variety of sections, both fiction and non-fiction, that remain popular. We offer these titles at lower prices and aim to always have at least the majority of them in stock. They can be found in the relevant sections, but also have their own special spot (along the stairs in Amsterdam, on the Favorites table in The Hague, and next to the register in Leidschendam) where you can find them all together for easy browsing access.
  • Another option is our 100 Top Tips. Earlier this year, we asked all ABC staff to tell us about their best-loved reads of the 21st century so far, and selected 100 of them. All of these titles come personally recommended by at least one staff member. We also had a poster made with all 100 covers, which you can take home for free with any purchase! While these 100 titles aren’t necessarily all displayed together, we recommend you keep an eye out for our Staff Choice inserts.
Non-books

Can’t decide on the perfect book? Or maybe you don’t want to risk buying something that the recipient might already have? We also sell lots of non-book items that make for great gifts.

  • Games: all three of our stores sport a Games section, stocking anything from Hitster to the D&D Player’s Handbook, and from Murdle to So Cards.
  • Calendars: we’ve been selling both wall and desk calendars every year for as long as we can remember. There are the beautiful art calendars by well-known artists, but topics like pop culture, nature, film, animals, and travel are also represented.
  • Branded merch: want to spread the ABC love? Our Booklover bags, pens, mugs, key chains and other branded merch are the way to go!
  • Don we now our book apparel: you may have already spotted our cute, beautiful and hilarious T-shirts, caps, totes, socks and pins by Out of Print. Definitely a hit for any book worm!
Gift cards

Still can’t find the gift that is just right? All is not lost, because we also sell gift cards!

  • The ABC Gift Certificate is redeemable on in-store items, has no expiration date, and comes in a variety of denominations. It’s the perfect gift for that picky reader in your life.
  • The Nederlandse Boekenbon (Dutch national book token) is available in all three of our stores as well. You can put whichever amount you like on the card!

If after all that you still can’t find what you’re looking for, or maybe you just can’t see the forest for the trees, there’s one last lifeline: ask a bookseller! With literal centuries of bookselling experience between us, we’re pretty sure that we can send you home with something at least vaguely appropriate for the receiver in question. We hope to see you in our stores for those last few pesky presents. Remember to keep an eye on our holiday opening hours!